How to caption a photo in Imagn/USA Today style

An Imagn/USA Today caption (people often type Imagine) opens with the date and city, then a semicolon, then a normal sentence. The sentence itself is closer to AP than Getty: team and position stay in, and the number goes in parentheses.

The Imagn/USA Today caption formula

Exact formula

{Date}; {City}, {State}, {Country}; {who} → {what they are doing} → {during the game} → {venue} Mandatory Credit: Photographer-Imagn Images

One sentence after that prefix, usually 20 to 45 words.

Example Caption

Oct 26, 2025; Lexington, Kentucky, USA; Kentucky Wildcats wide receiver Kendrick Law (1) catches a pass during the game against Eastern Michigan at Kroger Field. Mandatory Credit: Photographer-Imagn Images

Example Caption

Jun 1, 2024; London, England; England midfielder Jude Bellingham (10) controls the ball during the game against Spain at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Photographer-Imagn Images

Photographer credit

Imagn/USA Today usually adds a Mandatory Credit line after the caption body: photographer, a hyphen, then Imagn Images. Older USA TODAY Sports files often used Photographer-USA TODAY Sports the same way. It is typically not wrapped in parentheses.

Typical pattern: Mandatory Credit: Photographer-Imagn Images

Outlets that use this caption style may still want a different photographer credit. Match the credit format your editor or client specifies — it can differ from the wire’s usual line even when the body of the caption matches.

How to write the name

Keep the team, the position, the full name, and the number: Kentucky Wildcats guard Otega Oweh (00). If you have the mascot, leave it on the name.

Use parentheses, same as AP. Do not use a hash mark.

Date and place

Put the date only in the prefix (Oct 26, 2025). Do not repeat it in the sentence.

The prefix uses the full place: city, state or province when there is one, then the country. The sentence can name the venue (at Rupp Arena) but should not repeat the city, state, or country.

During the game

Write “during the game.” If players from only one team are mentioned, add the other team with “against” (“during the game against Eastern Michigan at Kroger Field”). If players from both teams are already mentioned, do not add either team name again — “during the game at Rupp Arena.”

Write the caption in four steps

Write the prefix: date, semicolon, city, state or province if there is one, country, semicolon.
Identify the subject with team, position, name, and (number).
Describe the visible action.
Add “during the game” plus opponent only when one side is named, then the venue.

Frequently asked questions about the Imagn/USA Today caption style

How do you write a caption in Imagn/USA Today style?

Start with Date; City, State, Country; then a present-tense sentence that names the player with team, position, and parentheses. Put the venue in the sentence. Leave the date out of the body. Skip the state when the country does not use one.

Is Imagn the same as Imagine Images or USA Today Sports?

People often type Imagine. Imagn Images is USA TODAY Sports’ photo wire, and Sideline’s preset uses that same semicolon caption style. Older files may still credit USA TODAY Sports.

When do you add the other team after “during the game”?

If players from only one team are named, add the opponent (“during the game against Eastern Michigan”). If players from both teams are already named, leave the opponent out.

Does an Imagn/USA Today caption repeat the city at the end?

No. City, state, and country already sit in the prefix. The body should add the venue when you have it.

Want Imagn/USA Today captions without typing the template every frame?

Join the pros using Sideline to streamline their workflow and deliver professional results in minutes.

Start Free Trial

500 free AI captions · 14-day full access · $0 today · Cancel anytime